Archived from groups: alt.cellular.cingular (
More info?)
In article <DTnpd.7648$_3.94460@typhoon.sonic.net>, spamfilter0
@navasgroup.com says...
> [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>
> In <XpOdnX5DWdf2dTjcRVn-iw@comcast.com> on Thu, 25 Nov 2004 09:12:54 -0500,
> "Billy" <nospam@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> >Can I use the v400 with my Cingular Service as a pager device? I have a
> >security system that can send 3 digit codes to a pager, and I want to be
> >able to send these codes to my cell phone, as if it were a pager. How would
> >I do this?
>
> Typically by using the carrier's email-to-SMS gateway.
>
>
Many hardware devices that can send a page thru the phone (security
systems, answering machines, UPS's, etc) do not have the ability to send
email. They simply call a pager number and send the code via DTMF
tones.
Two ways to do that to a cell phone--neither is perfect.
If the cell phone has extended voice mail there is an option to allow
the caller to interrupt the voice mail message by pressing a digit and
then to enter a phone number or code instead of leaving a voice mail.
This method only works if the caller reaches voice mail in the first
place of course, i.e. if you DON'T answer the phone yourself--with a
human on the other end that's okay but with a machine on the other end
you get an earfull of tones that are just a bit hard to interpret
The other method is to have the device call the numeric page access
number (for Cingular it's 800-856-6122), wait a few seconds for the
prompt to enter the 10-digit cell number--do that, then enter the code
digits (and whatever else is wanted). The problem with this method is
that's a LOT of digits and pauses and some devices (such as my home
answering machine) don't support that many digits.
I got around that problem by having a private 800# with ureach.com.
That service also allows the caller to press a digit to interrupt the
forwarding and/or message but since it doesn't need the 10-digit cell
number it's a lot fewer digits.
I feel this is one of the main reasons you're still seeing the few
pagers that you do. I'd like to see Cingular offer (for a small fee) a
2nd cell phone number dedicated to sending pages via SMS. It could be a
simple "enter your phone number or code" system or it could be more
elaborate and let the caller pick an actual message from a list
(standard or defined by the user). Actually voice-to-text systems are
good enough now to even dictate short statements. Anybody know how to
actually get someone at Cingular to take suggestions? They ought to be
interested in things they could charge more fees for
Speaking of voice-to-text--anyone watch Sue Thomas FB-Eye? She gets
calls on what looks like a Blackberry pager/phone. The caller speaks
but she sees it in text then replies by voice (although a couple of
times she replied by text--which would need to do text-to-voice going
back--not needed for Sue but might be by others). Looks fully automated.
Is this just TV magic or does that service actually exist?
--
Jud
Dallas TX USA
/navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>
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